The Washington critic., 1887-12-09
MISS HooKEWs RoMANoE.
Equai to One of Hans Christian Andcr.
sens Hest Stories.


sens Best stories.
Among the victims of the great Chi
cago fire in 1871, says the Tribune of
that city, was n gentleman by the name
of Hooker. He was u wealthy mer-
chant at the time, but like many others
of his class was utterly ruined by the
great fire. After this calamity the FAM
lily was supported by keeping boarders.
Three or four years ago there came into
his family TO board two handsome
young Swedes, polished, well-educatcd
and apparently the possessors of money
-onc called Sven and tho other Olaf.
Mr.. Hooker's family is American.
That makes no difference. The Swed-
ish visitors were well pleased with their
clearinghouse, and the reason for the
genuine satisfaction they displayed over
the matter will be better realized when
it is told how they were both single gem
tlemen, and how in the Hooker house
hold there was Mt least one unmarried
daughter, fresh, pretty, vivacious
young lady, who fitted about the halls
and parlors like an angel, occasionally
pausing to illuminate some dark corner
with her bright smile.
That bright smile IL was that haunted
one of the affablc young Swedes-young
Olaf. The Swedish gentlemen in the
meantime did not seem TO care
to engage in any business occupation.
They gave it out that they had come TO
America TO study the manners, customs
and language of the country. In the
latter pursuit they were assisted by the
Hookcrs, and especially by that daugh-
ter of the household, Annette, who, by
her careful attention to Olaf particularly,
had him in few months so that he
could speak United States like native.
of course there could be only one
sequel TO all this mutually of feeling,
this kindly regard. 1t was announced
that Annette and Olaf were engaged,
and in the early fall of 1885 the twain
were made one. Their wedding trip in
cluded visit to Lake Minnetonka,
where they stayed two weeks enjoying
their honeymoon. From Minnetonka
they returned to Chicago, and, bidding
an aifectionate farewell to the old folks,
set out for Olaf's native land, where Olaf
had proposed they should spend the re-
maindcr of their days. After brief
stay in London they sped across to
Christiania. Much to her surprise the
bride found an elegant equipagc fitted
out with liveried driver and with foot
man awaiting them at the steamship
dock, and she heard her husband give
some direction to the coachman by which
she inferred that the equipage was his
own. She asked no questions. The
pair were driven through the city into
an aristocratic suburb ornamented with
fine residences of wealthy people and
with the grounds and palaces of the no.
bility. When the most extensive and
most magnificent of all the palaces was
reached the coachman wheeled his
steeds in upon the grounds. "Now,"
said Olaf, 1--WE will alight; / want you to
come in and look over this palace and
see how the great of the land live" An
nette gazcd with awe upon the noble
pile. AT first she exhibited shyness at
the thought of going in and meeting the
great people. But her husband finally
induced her to take II walk through its
halls. When they came out he asked
her what she thought Of it. The young
bride expressed her admiration for what
was really the finest palace in the vi
cnity of the great city of Christiania.
lie listened to the rapturous compile
mcnts that poured from her lips.
Annette" he said, slowly, "this is
your future home" II was afterward
explained to her that her husband was
the son of u nobleman with Il fortune of
S13,00O,000.
Olaf and his bride are now living
happily together in the great palace in
the suburbs of Christiania.